Take advantage of the $1 tire disposal

In an effort to help curb illegal dumping of tires and put them in their proper place, the South Central Solid Waste Authority is now charging only $1 (plus tax) per passenger tire that is brought in to the Amador Avenue Recycling Center and Transfer Station at 2865 W. Amador Ave. A passenger tire is 16 inches or smaller.

Larger tires - truck tires, semi-tractor tires, tractor tires - can be brought in and disposed of for $3 (plus tax) per tire.

"In Doña Ana County alone, we landfill more than 10,000 tires every year that residents bring in to us... and clean up thousands more from illegal dump sites," explains Patrick Peck, South Central Solid Waste Authority director.

This service is open to residents and businesses. Anyone who brings in 10 tires or more must fill out a Tire Manifest form, available at the gate house at the entrance to the SCSWA or the form can be downloaded from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) website.

Across the state of New Mexico, 2-million scrap tires are thrown away every year. That's one tire per person per year.

Peck adds, "Most people don't realize the implications of illegally dumped tires. They are a huge fire risk, and they provide a breeding spot for mosquitos.

We're starting to get some rain now and it only takes a quarter-inch of rain and a stack of tires to create a mosquito breeding ground."

With rains come mosquitoes in high numbers and an increased risk of spreading viruses such as West Nile.

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Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the highest number of cases ever since the virus was first detected in the U.S. in 1999.

Illegal dumping creates standing water, especially in appliances, tires, large containers, and car parts, all of which provide a place for rain water to pool and fester attracting mosquitoes. Where there are pools of rain water, mosquitoes arrive, lay eggs, and bring risk of illness.

Ken Sholar, Doña Ana County Vector Control, says, "Combine a quarter-inch of rain and a big pile of tires and that quarter inch becomes two inches of rainwater by the time it reaches the bottom tires. That's enough water to breed several generations of mosquitos."

Car tires are one of the most common objects illegally dumped and also one of the most dangerous when it comes to vectors. There are sites in the Doña Ana County desert where hundreds of tires have been dumped; creating ample opportunity for mosquitoes and other vectors to cause harm.

The SCSWA operates Corralitos Landfill, the Amador Avenue Recycling Center and Transfer Station, and eight county collection centers. If you have questions or would like more information about the South Central Solid Waste Authority please call 575-528-3800 or visit www.TheScrappyPages.com.